Winner Category | Community Service
Anthony Gaudino joined the Hartford Police Department in 2021. As a community service officer in Sheldon-Charter Oak, he has been partnered with Kady, a yellow Labrador, since August of 2022.
Together, Gaudino and Kady support the health and wellness of their community through local events and outreach, as well as providing victim services and peer support when someone has been through a traumatic experience, whether it’s a student or a fellow police officer.
The partners help with the Hartford Police Athletic & Activities League (PAL), visit hospitals, schools and senior centers, and attend community health events like the Trinity Health Men’s Fair and the Autism Speaks walk in Hartford.
Both Gaudino’s and Kady’s presence helps build trust among members of the community and encourage people to engage with and take advantage of the resources offered by the police department, health fairs and wellness events.
Gaudino hopes to see the community service officer and K9 partnership implemented across the Hartford Police Department to help even more people through employee assistance and PAL programs.
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Personal Side
Favorite way to relax: Exercising
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, hiking with Kady, and watching the Minnesota Vikings.
Favorite cause: Puppies Behind Bars is a nonprofit program that trains people who are incarcerated to raise service dogs, including Kady—it’s where she and I first met before we were partnered together.
Tell us something about yourself that others might now know: Having worked with Kady for 2 years now, I’m inspired to explore opportunities down the road that will help bring therapy dogs to more people who need them.